Artists

Ella Fitzgerald was the greatest vocalist the jazz world has ever heard. Her extraordinary diction, timing, sense of swing and all round joie de vie meant that her versions of hundreds of great songs were the definitive ones. The songbooks of Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Rogers and Hart, Irving Berlin, and George Gershwin had no finer interpreter. In today’s cluttered world, the beauty of hearing these great songs sung with the same clarity and freshness is an unalloyed pleasure, and so it is with Seonaid Aitken, the leading singer of her day, and the perfect one to celebrate Ella and the songs she made famous. Seonaid fronts the superstar young Big Band that’s turning all the critics heads, and introduces special guest, Sam West, to join her in celebrating Ella’s very special duets with Louis Armstrong.
A stunning night of great tunes, great music, and inspiring performances!

The Polish pianist's well honed Trio is one of the most electrifying young groups in Europe. Steeped in the American jazz tradition, Derlak brings a joyful vitality to everything she does standards, contemporary tunes sometimes clever, fast, spiky; sometimes deep in balladry.

Still in his mid-20s, Florentine pianist, Lanzoni is a shooting star of the Italian jazz scene. Extraordinarily gifted, with a marvellous touch, he makes music of great lyricism and beauty. His roots are in the Bill Evans tradition, but his Trio is making music for 2017 audiences - full of wonder and revelation.

Good time, swinging vintage jazz a mix of Tin Pan Alley, the Great American Songbook standards, and traditional New Orleans Blues as sung by Bessie Smith, Mildred Bailey, Louis Armstrong and Ma Rainey from "stunningly expressive" (San Diego Union Tribune) and award-winning vocalist Alison Affleck and her all star band.

From Johnson City Tennessee, she's described as a Southern Gothic, alt-country blues singer-songwriter. Festival audiences were knocked out by her power and immediacy last year and its great to have her back; original singer/songwriting rooted in rhythm and blues and gospel and country and all things Southern USA.

Trombonist and singer, Dave Batchelor, runs one of the most entertaining traditional Jazz bands in Scotland. Classic dixieland Jazz played with real verve and rhythmic punch with a band featuring Hamish McGregor (saxes/clarinet), Fraser Spiers (harmonica), and Alastair MacDonald (banjo), with a special New Orleans guest on trumpet, Kevin Louis.

The singer can command a room just like Jazz royalty, stilling audiences with her charm and musical power. Its a simple formula: great tunes, from Jazz standards to modern Pop, sung with intriguing arrangements, singularity and clarity. Always swinging and tasteful. A class act!

Step back to the early 1920s, to the birth place of jazz: to the music of the bars and dance halls of New Orleans: Louis, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver. Swinging sounds delivered with real conviction, spirit and passion from this hugely popular Edinburgh group, led by banjoist, Bill Salmond.

Best Jazz Act at the Mobo awards last year, “the new sound of London jazz”, the saxophone/drums partnership is steeped in grime, techno and hiphop, but their duo is “a lattice of contemporary rhythm and unequivocal pared back acoustic modern jazz”. “Raw and honest” is how drummer, Moses Boyd describes it.

If "Kind Of Blue" is the best selling jazz album of all time, then "Birth Of The Cool" is where it all started. Miles Davis stellar nine-piece band used the mellow, lush, atmospheric arrangements of Gerry Mulligan and Gil Evans to change the direction of jazz. Sophistication in surround sound for the jazz improviser.
Richard Ingham re-creates the music with an all star band including Allon Beauvoisin, and Helena Kay.

Matt Schofield Band, Connie Lush Band and Lisa Mills. Rocking and soulful rootsy sounds from the unforgettable voice of one of Britain's foremost blues divas, Connie Lush. Southern charm, with Lisa Mills' Mississippi roots infusing country blues and gospel into her distinctive solo guitar and vocal style. Guitar virtuoso, singer, songwriter, producer and band leader, Matt Schofield makes his Festival debut. His authenticity, mastery of guitar, emotive vocals, and improvisational brilliance have won him a host of awards as well as industry, peer and critical acclaim.

From simmering ballad to storming rocker, Dana Dixon is one of the finest female blues vocalists and harmonica players around. Santini’s supercharged harmonica and vocals have made him the hottest ticket in Memphis’s Beale Street: “evoking the sounds of his forefathers, hypnotising the crowd” (National Geographic). Earl Thomas sings like a man who's seen everything: soulful songs in a voice of grit and flint. One of the great live blues acts, Thomas’s shows are packed with energy and charisma, and a top seven-piece band. Real class!

His thick-as-molasses vocals and muscular harmonica playing have led fans and critics alike to tap Santini as one of the most quickly-rising blues stars of his generation. Memphis based, hes absorbed the sounds and culture of the Delta and North Mississippi Hill Country, honing his craft night after night, sweating it out in local Beale Street clubs.

Enigmatic, original music that should be better known, and in the year of his centenary, trombonist, Brian Keddie gets together with altoist, Geoff Simkins, Brian Kellock and Kenny Ellis to shine a light on one of the creative geniuses of jazz.

The trumpeter and pianist showed that jazz could be a thrilling conversation, with two soloists spurring each other on, and responding sympathetically to everything their partner did. It was a revolution in jazz. Kellock and Kellso are musicians inspired by such approaches, and they can also sound like Hines and Armstrong, although they'll honour all the greats of swinging jazz in their Edinburgh summit.

The pianist invites another great free spirit from the English jazz scene, to join him in re-casting a host of songs from Tin Pan Alley to classic jazz songs to soul and contemporary pop. Spontaneity and wit infuse Kellock's music and Carroll's singing too. They love the musical sparring and powerful emotional undercurrents that underpin the wonderful on-stage conversation of a great jazz duo.

Two adventurous virtuoso instrumentalists bring together a love of musical risk, a passion for jazz old and new and a mutual respect and understanding spanning two decades. They’ve never performed an entire concert as a duo before. In the first half, with a blank canvas who knows where the musical journey will go. In the second half, Brian’s Trio join for a straight ahead swinging set.

From playing tenor sax with Buck Clayton's band, trumpet with Lionel Hampton's quintet, alto and clarinet with Paquito DRivera and Maria Schneider, the extraordinary New Yorker, Scott Robinson is an eclectic multi-instrumentalist who spans traditional to avant-garde jazz. Pianist, Brian Kellock loves the entire range too, and you can expect, incredibly, Fats Waller to Cecil Taylor, with all stops in between.

Ever since they first got together, almost thirty years ago, they’ve been the benchmark for swing and modern jazz piano trio excitement. Mercurial music making, laced with humour, wit, and adventure from this most free spirited of swinging jazz groups. LINEUP: Brian Kellock (Piano), Kenny Ellis (Bass), John Rae (Drums).

Theres a core group called The Ear Regulars usually featuring the extraordinary saxophonist, Scott Robinson, and here they are in Edinburgh at the invitation of Brian Kellock to play swinging, melodic classic jazz - everything from New Orleans style through the tin pan alley classics, the swing era, and mainstream jazz.

Carol Kidd has always had a shower of stardust around her, and here she is celebrating the songs Garland made famous, from the great era of Hollywood. Shimmering and soaring with flawless phrasing, Kidd's voice is underpinned by impeccable timing and deep emotional engagement. A must for lovers of classic American songs.

A rollercoaster of 60s soul and R&B classics with razor sharp vocals, and deep funky groove from the sizzling seven-piece band. Marshall's blistering originals and re-funked covers are drawn from the musical traditions of New Orleans funk, Mississippi blues and 60s jazz, soul and R&B classics.

Now it's time for Colin and his new Quartet with Dave Milligan (piano), Calum Gourlay (bass) and Alyn Cosker (drums) to give this distinctive music a jazz twist. Commissioned by The PearlFishers' label, they have a new album with Colin playing entirely on muted trumpet. Its a very beautiful result: warming, heartening music played with love, affection, and huge imagination.

The conference is aimed at a broad audience including academics, educators, musicians, music students and jazz-fans, and will provide an opportunity for insights into, (and the critique of) the communities, networks, institutions and industries that support and sustain the production and dissemination of jazz on record.
The conference – through a programme of panel discussions, presentations, and performances – will present informed and lively debate around the history of jazz on record, and will cast an eye to the future of its production and dissemination.

1940s/1950s RnB, Western Swing, and jump blues, this five piece party-loving band have the special bonus of a great singer, Nicole Smit. If you know the "Cow Cow Boogie" tune from Ella Mae Morse or Ella Fitzgerald, just transport it to a Southern juke joint, with a roadside blues-drenched atmosphere.

Her powerful voice, unforgettable stage charisma, and timeless tunes are the recipe for storming live shows. Drawing from her early childhood singing gospel music in church, her voice evokes Aretha Franklin and Candi Staton, whether raising goosebumps with a whisper or belting out a heart-wrenching and gutsy groove.

Young Traditional Musician of the year, fiddler Charlie Stewart meets bassist David Bowden, winner of Young Scottish Jazz Musician to form a special new band, and here it is. The best young talent from Glasgow's thriving folk and jazz scenes.

He's a new star of jazz trombone, with a brilliant New Orleans Band. "Trombone-led albums are rare animals, and it's refreshing to encounter a project that is stellar not just for the uniqueness of its instrumentation but for the strength of its compositions and sheer force of its swing" (Downbeat).

Supercharged drummer fires up an all star band of New Orleans musicians, with the dynamic rhythm section of Shea Pierre (piano) and Jasen Weaver (bass), and three horns, to celebrate the music of Art Blakeys Messengers. Exciting, highly charged, bebop fuelled music.

The Playtime Trio has been building a serious following for their transcendent and epic one hour continuous improvisations at The Out House. Here they improvise one set alone and for the other, interact live with remixes of their new CD by cult down tempo mash up maestro DJ Dolphin Boy.

An opportunity to see and hear some jazz stars of the future as the summer school students (instrumentalists and new in 2017 vocalists) show off their newly acquired skills. Led by Dave Kane, Jessie Bates and Haftor Medbe

He has worked alongside everyone from Benny Carter to Paul McCartney to Cleo Laine as well as touring the globe several times over. For many years, an Edinburgh Fringe favourite, we welcome him back as he celebrates his 70th Birthday.

KalentuRa (Netherlands), Edinburgh Samba School, Enjoy Street Theatre (Italy), Beltane Fire Society, 3 Points (Spain), Edinburgh Chinese Community Festival Group, D’Art (Netherlands), Anansi, Pep’s Circus (France), Pulse of the Place, Messy Jam (England), Samba Resille (France), Artscape (South Africa), Circus Alba, Brass Aye, Think Circus & Hoop Addicts, Edinburgh Chinese Art and Culture Community and many more.
Edinburgh Chinese Art and Culture Community will present a spectacular free admission show in conjunction with the Carnival featuring the many high quality performers coming to the Festival from Beijing Feng Tai District. There will be nearly 100 performers on show for a colourful presentation of Dance, circus, music, and Peking Opera. Please visit the carnival tab for more information on how to reserve your free ticket.
You can participate in the Carnival parade by wearing a costume or being a steward and have one of the most exhilarating experiences.
Please call 0131 467 5200 / e-mail: Anna on carnival@adjazz.co.uk to find out more.

Their 1947 season at the El Dorado in Leith effectively launched the Scottish jazz scene, with arrangements of classic Big Band numbers by Sampson and Edwin Holland. Murray, long time associate of Sampson, recreates the music from that amazing time.

This is a band that knows just about every exotic music that you party with: Ska, Swing, Balkan music, Reggae, Hip-Hop.. and they like to mix and mash, and create an upbeat high energy show that seems to always end with audiences on their feet having had a great time.

A phenomenal technician for his age, Fergus is progressing so rapidly its hard to keep track of his artistry. Originally inspired by Oscar Peterson, he now ranges across the entire jazz piano tradition, and playing new music of real substance. His band infuse everything with huge personal emotion. Catch him now, with David Bowden (bass) and Stephen Henderson (drums).
Magrini is a passionate young jazz pianist from Rome with an extraordinary facility. Like McCreadie, a major star in the making.

Jazz meets folk: Fragile Bliss are an exceptional group from the Czech Republic, who create acoustic music that sounds as though jazz, classical and folk roots of central Europe have been distilled into a perfect balance. A specially assembled chamber trio celebrate guitarist, Haftor Medbøe's half-century, with Steve Hamilton (piano) and Dave Kane (bass), and a lot more technology.

The dazzling young pianist is perhaps the musician most likely to keep the classic traditions of jazz alive on the Scottish jazz scene. He just loves tunes, and even in his early 20s he's got an extensive knowledge of standards, to go with his great harmonic and improvisational skills. Here he is with a top young band featuring Helena Kay and Will Arnold-Foster.

The next big thing in Scottish jazz vocals, singer Georgia Cecile is “modern and soulful, but absolutely rooted in the traditions of mainstream jazz” (BBC Radio Scotland). Working alongside pianist, Euan Stevenson, she sings classic jazz standards and some eloquent self-penned songs.

Saxophonist, McNeil recreates the vibe of New York's legendary 7th Avenue South jazz club, where musicians like Steps Ahead, Mike Stern, Bob Berg, Jaco Pastorius and Chick Corea fused the spirit of jazz, with the energy of funk and rock

The Texan was mentored by Bo Diddley and plays with the energy and swagger of the great 60s blues showmen. "A non-stop turbo of power, one minute moving from side to side of the stage, and then taking on his horn player in a head-cutting contest the next minute" (Blues Blast).

Edinburgh clarinettist and trad-band leader extraordinaire, Hamish McGregor has put together a special band to pay tribute to both the clarinet and trumpet maestros, featuring Colin Steele and Dave Batchelor. All the fun and the hits!

The original lead singer/guitarist with The Average White Band through all the classic 70s albums, Hamish has worked with the likes of Diana Ross, George Benson, Chaka Khan and for six years, Paul McCartney. In addition to touring with Ringo Starr he leads his own “super-group”. Expect AWB hits and loads of great funk and soul classics.

Inspired by Parisian jazz of the 1930s, Havana Swing are a tight four piece band who play the sometimes languid and sometimes lightning music of Django Reinhardt's Hot Club de Paris, with subtle harmonies and with energy, passion and charm: "happy, jaunty, feelgood jazz executed with great panache" (The Herald).

"New Orleans finest" (The Guardian). Hip hop, jazz and funk out of the classic marching band tradition with a totally contemporary vibe. This funky brass band made their name on the streets and in the clubs of New Orleans. Famous for their blistering, high energy performances, they sold out early last year, so make sure to book early.

Iain's easy going warmth, showmanship and on-the-button pitch; his tone and timing, and the quality of his voice are perfect for the swinging music of the Great American Songbook, as made famous by Sinatra, Matt Monroe, and Tony Bennett.

Born into a family of street musicians, Ingrid Lucia sang in her family band, the Flying Neutrinos, from the age of eight, so she has music coursing deep in her soul. This sassy New Orleans native has a voice that's prompted thousands of comparisons to Billie Holiday as she sings in a manner which is irrepressibly sultry, with the sway of a humid afternoon. Despite her stylistic similarities to Lady Day, Lucia's delivery is upbeat, fun and just a bit naughty, in the true Big Easy tradition. She's Tony Bennet's favourite opening act - why not come along and find out why?

The leading pianist in Scandinavian jazz can be electrifying in his rhythmical attack, and then be the most delicate purveyor of beautiful melodies. Wonderfully turned simple folkloric ballads, edgy beat-based rhythms, spontaneous jazz: he plays them all. His Trio concerts are exhilarating experiences.

"One of Scotlands top bands of the moment" (BBC Radio Scotland), funk and groove based sextet fronted by guitarist/vocalist, Aki Remally, inspired by the likes of Average White Band, Steely Dan and Little Feat. They wowed the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party this year and now bring their brand of get-on-down funk to George Square.

"A big, bombastic sound" (The Scotsman) from mainstays of the Edinburgh scene, this is the classic Monday night big band, where the best players in town come down for a blow. Great free spirited music kept in line by Erik Lars Hansen and Keith Edwards.

A joyous celebration of the early years of Jazz.
Jazz was born in New Orleans and this Centenary gala concert brings the best musicians from New Orleans to celebrate everything from the traditional Bourbon Street of Louis Armstrong and King Oliver to the sophistication of Duke Ellington.
The New Orleans Classic Big Band features some of the finest Jazz musicians from New Orleans, and we hear short sets tonight from many of the smaller New Orleans groups playing the Festival. The evening is compared by the charismatic trumpeter and singer, James Williams.

The trumpeter and vocalist has an emotional cry that touches nerves of fellow musicians and audiences alike. He's a diehard traditionalist, with no time for modern jazz and beyond, yet his steely, passionate music reaches out across all audiences. Brian Kellock and John Burgess have long wanted to play with him, and tonight they get their wish, as part of an all star one-off band.

A tenor saxophone player with a beautiful sound; and a clarinetist who can purr and excite in equal measure. Today, we are introduced to an all star band, featuring New York musicians who play in the closest style to the easygoing informal swinging jazz made famous at Condon's Manhattan club, and are transported to an era in which swing was still king, and mainstream jazz was born.

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray did it in the 80s. John Nemeth is the next young blues star to do it. Last year, he was a first time sensation at the Festival. Hailing from Boise, Idaho and now living in Memphis, Nemeth's deeply forged amalgamation of scorching harmonica-driven blues and sweet blue-eyed soul makes him seem like kin to the long-gone soul originals, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Jackie Wilson and rootsy blues heroes like Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson.

“Scofield can make his guitar howl, plead, laugh, argue, and preach – deep passion and almost unbearable beauty” (The Scotsman). A man of many parts, a virtuoso guitarist with a genuine jazz sensibility. He worked with historic figures like Miles, Mingus, Chet Baker and created many historic groups of his own. Uberjam is his hard-groove band playing funk-oriented jazz-rock, propelled by the red-hot Dennis Chambers on drums. Mike Stern's four-decade career featured stints with Blood, Sweat & Tears, Billy Cobham, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, the Brecker Brothers and Joe Henderson, before he launched a solo career that has propelled to him to a global star. 16 recordings as a leader (six nominated for GRAMMY® Awards) and thousands of high energy gigs, with many of the greats of the current scene – including this band with co-leader and fellow giant of the New York jazz and fusion scene, Randy Brecker. Two electrifying soloists whose blistering chops combine rock–blues firepower with sophisticated jazz harmonies. John Scofield (guitar), Avi Bortnick (rhythm guitar/samplers), Andy Hess (bass), Dennis Chambers (drums). Mike Stern (guitar), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Teymur Phell (bass), Lenny White (drums)

An out-of-time traditionalist, trumpeter, Ruby Braff created a unique new sound with his group with guitarist, George Barnes. He had one of the most beautiful instrumental sounds in jazz, and a prodigious gift for phrasing melody. He was Kellso's mentor, and no-one in the world can play this music better.

The King of boogie boogie, swing and R&B, Jools Holland is back for another energy-fuelled show with his fantastic Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, raising the roof of the Festival Theatre once again.
Despite selling millions of records throughout his career and hosting the most successful British TV music show ever, he’s always up for touring and the amazing electricity his live shows generate. ‘Later with…Jools Holland’ is now in its 46th series! Jools’ name is synonymous with quality music. His star studded band featuring ex-Squeeze drummer, Gilson Lavis, and regular guest vocalists, Ruby Turner, Beth Rowley and Louise Marshall, are joined for this tour by Jools’ long time Squeeze colleague, Chris Difford.

In songs and contemporary stories, through the tango and foxtrot, black regiments, religious line-singing and marching bands, we rediscover those early days and hear the progress of a musical revolution. We find out how the immense changes to everyday life, wartime profiteering, escape from misery, sparked the explosion of this new and sophisticated music. Actor, Crawford Logan, fronts a stellar ensemble of musicians, actors, dancers and singers, in this fast-moving show, written and produced by Dave Batchelor. Find out how Kaiser Bill, by starting a war, accidentally gave us the music of King Oliver, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington!

Shes been a protégé of Prince (playing at Paisley Park for the 30th anniversary of Purple Rain), she's toured with Gregory Porter and released her first album on Blue Note in 2016. "Soul Eyes" is dazzling revealing the influences of Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, and Norah Jones and the perfect setting for her expressive smoky voice.

Playing the music of Benny Carter, Ken Mathieson's octet features the cream of Scottish classic jazz talent, joined tonight by the effervescent clarinettist and alto saxophonist Alan Barnes playing Carter's role. A rare chance to hear music by one of the great giants of swing to bop. "Terrific music, imaginative arrangements and strong playing with great panache" (The Herald).

Superbly lyrical saxophonist celebrates two of America's finest songwriters, with her thrilling quartet and young vocal sensation, Manning. They'll fresh mint many of Arlen and Porters most famous tunes from "What Is This Thing Called Love" to "Its Only A Paper Moon".

There’s never been such insider talk about a young Scottish jazz singer before. Manning is just out of school and yet he’s a consummate jazz singer with a luminous tone and expressive phrasing. He’s surely going to be Scotland’s best. Catch this phenomenal new voice in the best way – his spellbinding duo with pianist, Benzie. Impeccable standards.

Richard O'Donnell and Alan Jones are established experts at purveying authentic old blues styles, evoking the back porch parties and chitlin' circuit of the delta and the southern States. Now they've been joined by a superb young blues talent, Thomas Lucas. Classic country blues.

Bristling with youthful talent, NYOS Jazz Orchestra present a programme that takes the audience on a Road Trip Across the Americas from Donald Fagen’s album “Nightfly” to guitar god, Pat Metheny. The orchestra is led by Music Director Malcolm Edmonstone and Principal Conductor Andrew Bain and the featured guest artist is guitarist, Malcolm MacFarlane.

"The lap steel guitar creates a very special atmosphere and Neil plays it extremely well.. very, very nice indeed" (Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2). From harmonica fuelled roots-blues to the Ry Cooder soundscapes for "Paris Texas"; far Eastern nuances to evocations of desert landscapes this is not your average blues gig!

Stan Getz made one of the greatest jazz recordings of all time when he teamed up with composer, Eddie Sauter, to improvise with a rhythm section and strings on the album "Focus". Sauter's rhythmically and harmonically exciting masterpiece is sometimes overlooked, it's rare for concert promoters to get the special forces together. The great Scottish tenor saxophonist, Wiszniewski, and pianist, Euan Stevenson, launched their New Focus group by recreating the original music, and then presenting their own take on the Saxophone and Strings format. Especially for the Jazz 100 programme, they do it all over again. A very rare event!

“An exuberant and unstoppable force” (The Scotsman). Their frontman is the charismatic, Louis Armstrong-sounding, soulful and sweet, James Williams. The band is packed with the best talent from New Orleans and they play the original styles with extraordinary passion. "Young devotees whose balance of spunk and funk keeps the heart of traditional jazz beating..." (The New Yorker).

Harnessing electronica to the melodic and rhythmic adventure of jazz in a thrilling and utterly up to date way, keyboardist, Paul Harrison has set up one of the most unique groups playing anywhere today. With a star-studded line up: Stu Brown (drums), Graeme Stephen (guitar) and Phil Bancroft (saxophones).

Saxophonist, Steve Kettley, has wandered far across musical styles – from free improv to Salsa Celtica – and many styles beyond – from multiple theatre shows to his duo with Liz Lochhead. Here he is with his punchy sax/tuba/drums Trio and the fun-loving afro, Latin, ska-jazz, bues and soul six piece band. A double delight!

Festival favourite, Red Stripe and his seven- piece band, are back with another rollicking night of boogie woogie, blues, jump jive, swing, and rock n’roll – and a singular mission to give audiences a good time. “Red Stripe’s immediate rapport with the audience and quirky humour makes this show unmissable." (Stephen Fry).

One of the most enjoyable and well established groups on the Scottish scene celebrates the music of the trumpeter and vocalist, Chet Baker. Colin Steele's wistful trumpet, the sublime piano accompaniment of Euan Stevenson and smooth vocals of Iain Ewing combine in an intimate and often magical trinity. Now, for the first time, we hear the wonderful sounds created by Chet and long time sparring partner, baritone saxophonist, Gerry Mulligan, played by Bill Fleming.

At the helm, violinist, Seonaid Aitken’s “superb, cool singing complements her dynamic, on-fire but always highly musical violin solos” (The Herald), recreating he excitement of Rive Gauche Paris of the 30s and 40s with Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt.
The Rose Room gypsy group is expanded to 9 members with the sensational swinging saxophonist, Konrad Wiszniewski and the String Quartet that backs all the stars, from Madonna to Rod Stewart, The Capella Quartet!

He knows how to make bands swing, and he’s got a love for the sophisticated swing groups of the 30s. The bass maestro has been at the heart of so much great swinging jazz in Scotland for so many years, that his springy, buoyant pulse is often taken for granted. Here he is celebrating the small groups of John Kirby and Artie Shaw, with a band that features Enrico Tomasso and Scott Robinson.

Their high-octane, gypsy-swing travels from latina to swing, balcanica to reggae, soul to folk into an ever-changing musical mix. From starting life as a loose collective in the backstreet music bars of Bologna, they’re now an international phenomenon packing out Festivals of all musical styles. The band that everyone loves return after a string of sell out shows last year. Limited seating available.

Trumpet virtuoso, Ryan Quigley’s band recreates the musical fireworks of the early days of bebop in Gillespie’s centenary year. High energy trumpet swagger and serpentine alto sax brilliance were Diz and Bird’s trademarks -and always with bands packed with great players. Today Ryan is joined by Soweto Kinch (saxophone) and Emmet Cohen (piano).

With a love of roots, rhythm, blues and jazz, Sam West’ s band, The Fortunate Sons, have won over audiences with their new take on old sounds. Now the singer and guitarist has a new project – to produce a new jazz oriented take on the contemporary song book – the music of people like Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Jeff Buckley. He’ll have an outstanding band, featuring Konrad Wiszniewski and Euan Stevenson.

She’s in the midst of a meteoric rise to fame, with the iconic label Impulse! Snapping her up and all of jazz’s most iconic clubs and Festivals clamouring to present her. She has everything that lovers of classic jazz singing (and piano playing) yearn for: a natural tone, clear diction, real engagement with the lyric, and an easy sense of swing and joy.

One of the most exciting fusion guitarists in music today. Henderson’s work with Tribal Tech, Vital Tech Tones, and jazz-fusion keyboard legends Joe Zawinul and Chick Corea earned him numerous #1 Jazz Guitarist accolades from all the big guitar magazines early in his career. Blistering, high energy blues - rock – jazz fusion is Henderson’s forte, adding sophistication, great musicality and technical skill to a blues-rock template. First time in Scotland for an electric guitar legend, with Romain Labaye (bass) and Archibald Ligonnière (drums).

Smokers World is a killer funk band based in New Orleans. The band does live funk and hip hop and good-time partying. “We celebrate life!” Led by Derrick Freeman, heralded MC, this New Orleans mainstay has been entertaining crowds since 2007. They even book as a jam band, and as a specialist tribute band to A Tribe Called Quest called "The Low End Theory Players." After a decade of playing New Orleans' hottest parties, this is the band to close our 2017 Festival.

An all-star cast of New Orleans musicians - Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown, James R. Martin, Terrance Taplin, Kevin Louis, Steven “Tuba Steve” Glenn, Danny Abel, and Aron Lambert - are a top flight traditional brass band who love to funk it up. Their shows and second-lines always turn into dance parties. Listen for tunes that range from old-school artists like Sly and the Family Stone and the Jackson 5 to hip-hop stars Snoop Dogg and Juvenile.

The veterans of Edinburgh’s New Orleans jazz scene have played every Edinburgh Jazz Festival, and are still as fiercely committed to presenting and promoting early jazz as ever. They take advantage of this year’s invasion of New Orleans to invite top Crescent City talent to join their celebration of hot 1920s jazz. They are joined by Kevin Louis (trumpet) and Michael Watson (trombone) delivering hot swinging New Orleans Jazz for dancing or listening

Benzie is the connoisseur's young pianist of the moment, but the wider public are only just finding out where he's coming from: Brad Mehldau, Esbjorn Svensson, Fred Hersch, John Taylor: these are the sources for the new piano masters - and you can find out why, as Benzie and his Trio take us on a tour of his piano playlist.

Here he is with his own powerful guitar-bass-drums Trio. “The sound is impeccably light and contemporary, with Mackenzie weaving fresh, fragrant melodic lines around one another” (Jazzwise). Steve Hamilton is a world renowned piano star, who lives in Scotland but works all over the world, for a long time with Bill Bruford, and right now, with Billy Cobham. Lately, he’s turned to solo piano, and it’s a sensational result. Great melodies, wonderful atmosphere, and loads of intriguing and exciting ideas.

The Swing Era brought us so much classy music, from jazz to mainstream pop, from Glenn Miller to Duke Ellington; Frank Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald. Dave Batchelor presents the story of this extraordinary time in music, words, dance, and pictures, with Scotland’s leading swing big band, and the doyens of Charelston, Lindy Hop, Jitterbug and Ragtime Dance, The Flyright Dance Company, all illustrated with live visuals.
The show takes you on a breathless race through swing – the pop music of the 30s and 40s – stopping off at Harlem, Tin Pan Alley, The Apollo Ballroom, Broadway, and Hollywood. It’s a tale of musical legends, fun, and good times. A great night out.

They’re playing the music of the classic New Orleans group, with a posse of New Orleans guest musicians: James Martin (saxophone), Steven Glenn (sousaphone), Danny Abel (guitar) and from The Meters, Aron Lambert (percussion).

This young Norwegian band are huge hits wherever they play. Rhythmically exciting vintage jazz from the 1920s and 30s, with passionate soloists in the front line and up to five-part vocals. Dance floor fillers.

Norway's youngest and hippest dixieland band are winning plaudits everywhere with their enthusiastic performances and terrific musicianship. They've got a special set of Disney tunes from The Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Monsters Inc. all played with youthful joie de vivre.

Few jazz groups in recent memory have amassed such acclaim, and inspired so much debate as The Bad Plus. They have thrived at the intersection of jazz, indie rock and contemporary classical music, inspiring “Rolling Stone” to call them "about as badass as highbrow gets” After 20 years this will be one of their last concerts with the line up of Ethan Iverson (piano), Reid Anderson (bass) and Dave King (drums). The end of an extraordinary era. Come and hear one of the defining groups of 21st century jazz to date.

Trombonist, Chris Barber has been the most important figure in British traditional jazz for over 60 years. Extraordinarily, his playing is undimmed and his current band sets the benchmark for quality in classic jazz, featuring a host of star names. They play a wide ranging repertoire centering on New Orleans to Duke Ellington. A rare chance to hear a jazz legend, with an absolutely top-notch band.

The Blind Boys of Alabama have the rare distinction of being recognised around the world as both living legends and modern-day innovators.
They’re probably the best known gospel singers in the world, defining the tradition in the 20th century, and almost single-handedly created a new gospel sound for the 21st century. There’s nothing quite like the uplifting power they produce – a unique musical experience.
Opening the show, The Como Mamas are three lifelong Gospel singers from the small town of Como Mississippi. As on their new, critically acclaimed Daptone album ‘Get an Understanding’ there are only three instruments – the voices of Ester Mae Smith, Angela Taylor, and Della Daniels – and it’s so powerful you don’t need anything else.

These fun-lovin' masters of ragtime, Dixieland blues and early swing, mix 1920’s New Orleans trad-jazz, blues and rags with hugely-entertaining and boisterous on-stage antics. Their killer live shows win instant fans: Tom Jones loves them and Keb Mo grabbed them for his Grammy nominated single The Old Me Better," he did so as he wanted it to sound like "a joyous thing - a party”.

This touring band features a host of great names, rooted in traditional Southern Blues, including guitarists and vocalists Robert Lee Coleman, Alabama Slim, Robert Finley, and Albert White; together with Lil’Joe Burton (trombone), Nashid Abdul Khaaliq (bass) and Ardie Dean (drums). This is where you hear the authentic sound of blues from the South, tinged with soul and gospel music, brought from the juke joints and back-street bars into an international touring group that loves to party.

For 45 years the Pasadena Roof Orchestra have been re-creating the sounds of a golden era of music from the 1920s and 1930s. The fun-packed show features timeless classics from the great American song book – those wonderful songs that miraculously lifted people’s spirits during the depression era, and which made household names of singers such as Bing Crosby, Al Bowlly, and Fred Astaire. Plus beautifully arranged songs from Irving Berlin, Ray Noble, Cole Porter and their contemporaries to electrifying hot jazz from Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington.

A rare chance to hear the very best in traditional Cajun music. From Eunice, Louisiana, the Savoy Family are the undisputed First Family of Cajun music. Playing honed down, hard-core Cajun music laced with an earthy sensuality. Intricate accordion, soulful fiddle and vocals combine to produce “A dazzling mixture of spiritual joy and virtuoso voltage" (Los Angeles Times).

Siblings, Will (“The Hendrix Of The Harmonica”) and Dani (the sultry voiced singer and finger picking guitarist) play an intimate, heartwarming and often foot-stomping show that combines Will’s soulful blues-rock style with Dani’s soulful, country and gospel tinged voice. A blues based show with a difference.

For over 30 years, Blues'n'Trouble set the standards in Scotland for high quality blues shows. Fronted by the irrepressible vocalist and harmonica player, Tim Elliott, their deep understanding of the roots of the blues underpinned high energy shows inspired by classic electric Chicago blues and boogie and packed with classic tunes – by John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Sonny Boy Wiiliamson.
In May, they played their last concert. Tim Elliott has put together a special band, featuring two guitarists who were mainstays of the group, John Bruce and Sandy Tweeddale, to give one final salute to the magic that was Blues'n'Trouble.

Jimmy Rushing, Big Joe Turner, and Jimmy Witherspoon are saluted by Scotland’s top blues singer. He leads a specially assembled blues band and swinging hornsection in a mix of Kansas City Stomp, Jump-Blues, uptempo swing, and early R&B in a set of music that’s all about having a good-time party. Music of fervour, energy and electricity.

Smith’s astonishing technique, power, passion and purpose make him the perfect player of Coltrane’s music, and his band is full of equally passionate musicians: Pete Johnstone (piano), Calum Gourlay (bass) and Sebastian de Krom (drums) They'll play Coltrane classics and new music by Smith inspired by the great man.

The epitome of smooth, cool, sophisticated, swinging jazz in the 1950s was the two trombone band of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding. Their music is rarely heard today, so here’s a great chance with Miles Lyons and David L Harris leading an all-US band.

The swingiest, happiest of 20s and 30s jazz from the wee band with the big, big sound featuring the clarinet and saxophone of John Burgess; the banjo and guitar of Ross Milligan; the swinging bass of Andy Sharkey, and today with guest trumpeter and vocalist, Enrico Tomasso.

A major voice on London's new jazz scene. Signed to Gilles Peterson's Brownwood Label, the drummer's killer fractured and broken beats are a huge influence across London's shapeshifting musical make-up - taking in jungle, grime, hop-hop and broken beat and the bass-heavy ambience of black pirate radio. His band, with Mansur Brown, Tom Driessler and Charlie Stacey, take inspiration from the crossover and experimentation in Jazz in the 1970s. Think: Herbie, Miles, Mahavishnu, Cobham, Alice Coltrane. “One of the most engaging acts you’ll see live” (Bonobo). Limited seating available.